Category Archives: Hawaii

2018 TOP PICKS & HOSTED ADVENTURES

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By Chris Meyer/Expedia Franchise Partner

We’ve narrowed down the endless adventure opportunities to a curated selection of top picks and hosted trips with sensational value.

ALASKA: 

The Last Frontier is more popular than ever. And for good reason! The scenery is vast and dramatic, both while cruising the eye-opening Inside Passage and while riding the luxurious Alaska Railroad to striking Denali National Park. In 2018, Norwegian Bliss will be the newest, largest and most feature-filled of more than two-dozen ships that ply Alaska’s waters. A destination itself, the Bliss enhances an already amazing destination. And its hull art is by Orange County’s own marine artist, Wyland. Our inventory of Expedia Exclusive Staterooms provides the best pricing and amenities on Alaska cruises, with some substantial discounts with Celebrity Cruises.

Bald Eagle in flight with mountains in backgroundExpedia Exclusive Picks:  

  • 10-day Cruise Tour departing July 20, 2018 with 7 days on the Celebrity Millennium plus a ride on the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. Hosted by Michael Berman and Sheila Diskin. Balcony staterooms start at just $2,269 per person.
  • For a shorter option, Norwegian Bliss is the newest ship in Alaska, doing round-trip itineraries from Seattle from $1,569 per person.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

EUROPE

The Old World is bursting with fascinating places for tracing our roots. Several of us took river cruise in 2017 and came away absolutely charmed with this type of travel, which gets you up close to the historic sites you want to experience without worrying about logistics. You are on vacation the entire time, and your floating hotel takes you to the next storybook destination while you sleep. But first, we went atop the ship after dinner to watch the sun set and the stars come out from our panoramic 360-degree perch – an unexpected treat. It was the trip of a lifetime. Do you want to give it a try in 2018? There are many options, but they won’t be available for long.

Expedia Exclusive picks:

Hosted Viking Rhine Getaway. Seven-day cruise from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands departing Sept. 14, 2018 with optional three-day pre-cruise stay on Lake Cuomo, Italy. Prices starting at $3,374 per person for the cruise with $395 round-trip air from LAX. Hosted by Jane Shobe.

Grand European Tour. Double your pleasure with a 15-day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. We have one departing Oct. 1, 2018 from with special pricing $6,295 with $395 round-trip flights from LAX.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Hosted Baltic Cruise. The Baltic Sea is best experienced by cruise ship, and we have an exceptional hosted 9-day itinerary July 13-22 on the Norwegian Breakaway from Copenhagen, Denmark. Ports of call are Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (2 days), Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden. Expedia exclusive prices start at $1,523 per person including all beverages (adult and otherwise), gratuities and taxes. While you are not immersed in these fascinating places, you will enjoy a ship with 27 restaurants, a jazz and blues club, mini golf course, casino, ocean-view gym and a myriad of other features and activities to make sure there is never a dull moment.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

HOMEPORT LA

For those times when you want to avoid the airport, there is a surprising variety of cruises out of our local ports. Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South America and the South Pacific can all be reached through a drive to San Pedro, Long Beach or San Diego. There even are round-the-world cruises that begin and end in Los Angeles. Cruise lines calling on local ports include Carnival, Norwegian,  Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Viking Ocean, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal. So you can find whatever level of luxury and price. The brand-new Norwegian Bliss will even be doing a month of Mexican Riviera cruises in October 2018. What a way to return to a destination on a ship that is a destination itself with 26 restaurants and a ship-top racetrack.

Expedia Exclusive Round-trip LA Picks:  

 

  • 10-day Mexico on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator departing May 25, 2018. Experience the utmost luxury at your doorstep. Special all-inclusive pricing from $3,199 per person

 

    • 27-night Hawaii-South Pacific on the Emerald Princess departing March 30, 2018 and Sept. 23, 2018. From $2,999 per person.

      French Polynesia

      French Polynesia

 

  • 7-night Mexican Riviera on the brand-new Norwegian Bliss. Four departures in October, 2018 before the ship repositions with a 15-day Panama Canal cruise to Miami. Prices start below $1,000 per person including the beverage package.

 

  • 14-night Alaska on the Carnival Splendor departing Aug. 25, 2018. From $1,319 per person.

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More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

HAWAII

I have been enchanted with Hawaii since I backpacked and surfed my way through the islands after high school. So when it comes to getting your aloha on, we are definitely your best option with Expedia’s enormous inventory of resorts, condos and private residences for rent. But I have come to believe, after nine trips to the islands,

Hawaii

Hawaii

that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America offers the most relaxing and cost-effective way to experience the whole of Hawaii. The seven-day cruise includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Add a couple hotel nights on the front end for Oahu and you have the best of Hawaii. The ship even shows you Kauai’s colossal Napali Coast and the Big Islands hot lava flow into the Pacific. Excursions that are time-consuming and costly if you are staying on land. On Pride of America, your food is included and you can choose the beverage package as a free perk. Plus on selected departures, discounted round trip air is as low as $399 per person including a one-night hotel stay  and kids sail free. This is a fantastic introduction to the islands for first timers and a most enjoyable way to return for an aloha fix. .

Expedia Exclusive Pick:  Departing April 27, 2018 from  $2,049 per person

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Did you know Tahiti is a mere 8 ½-hour flight from LAX? That’s just a couple of mai tais past Hawaii! An excellent way to experience that mythical island and neighboring Bora Bora and Moorea is aboard the Paul Gauguin a small 312-passenger luxury shipDSC_0161 that anchors inside breathtaking lagoons, is staffed by Polynesians who immerse you in their romantic culture, and tantalizes with the freshness expertly prepared cuisine. The verdict of the group I hosted: Best vacation ever and one that needs to be repeated. You not only get to experience more of Polynesia than at a single land resort, but you save money with all-inclusive pricing that includes round-trip air from LAX, an open bar and gratuities.

Expedia Exclusive Pick: Hosted 7-night Society Islands departing Feb. 17, 2018 from $4,521per person all inclusive including flights. Hosted by Expedia consultants Michael Berman and Sheila Diskin.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

Traveling is good for you – physically, mentally and spiritually

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By Chris Meyer

Here’s an updated  blog version of an article I wrote for Health Connections magazine

Everyone likes to get away. It’s fun and it can be good for you – physically, mentally and spiritually. Yes, you can return from an exciting journey with a new fitness regimen, new appreciation of a foreign culture, and a refreshed outlook on your daily existence.

It’s no wonder figures as diverse as St. Augustine, Hans Christian Anderson and Mark Twain have recommended travel so highly. And modern-day studies back them up.

Summiting Half Dome is a physical and spiritual high.

Summiting Half Dome is a physical and spiritual high.

PHYSICAL

It’s cliché to say that you need to burn off those extra vacation pounds. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re a gonzo traveler like me, you will be burning calories trying to pack in as many experiences as possible. That’s a given when I’m backpacking, but it can also work on more civilized excursions, where the food is more tempting than the dehydrated variety.

A walk through Rome’s wonderful maze of ancient passageways, piazzas, and fountains reveals new discoveries at each turn. It also burns off some serious pasta.  The legs will definitely feel it on a climb to the top of the St. Peter’s Basilica dome.

Cruise ships, sometimes maligned as floating palaces of overindulgence, now offer spa cuisine and state-of-the-art gyms.  (See USA Today’s Best cruise ships for fitness junkies.) Royal Caribbean International is bringing celebrity chefs specializing in healthy food aboard its newest ships. England’s Jaime Oliver, who has crusaded for healthier school lunches, will offer hsi take on Italian and Biggest Loser” chef Devin Alexander’s Solarium Bistro aims to pack a lot of taste into few calories. So why not jump-start your fitness regimen with the ocean in full view?  Everything is convenient and even walking around the track in the fresh sea air is a pleasurable way to get the blood flowing.

Trails connecting the villages of Italy's Cinque Terre bring beauty and exercise together.

Trails connecting the villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre bring beauty and exercise together.

Ashore a plethora of active options await, from trekking between vintage European villages to kayaking picturesque Caribbean coastlines. Runners cruises offer training, expert advice and an island 5K race.

A healthy, local, organic food movement is in full bloom in Hawaii. From restaurants to farmers’ markets, fresh and delicious choices abound. It’s easy to bypass the luau and Spam after burning some serious calories on the kayaking trip to the secret waterfall.

Agriturismos connect you with the Italian roots of what is sometimes called the slow food movement. Plus, you can see traditional methods of producing wine and olive oil, and even take a turn in the kitchen, learning how to prepare fresh food that healthily delights the taste buds.

MENTAL

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -St. Ausutine

I love books that mentally transport me to another place. But actually being in there is transformative. All senses are involved. Talk about mental stimulation keeping the brain sharp!

Roaming Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Museums offers so much history and science.  I grew up fascinated with the moon mission. At the Air and Space Museum I could see, even touch, the spacecraft and visualize the experience.

My mind and extremities were aroused as I shivered amid Denali National Park’s vast and colorful tundra while a native Athabascan described her people’s traditions. I could feel the conditions that required their ingenious adaptations and perseverance.   

What better way to feel the Athabascan culture than through through the words of one of its daughters amid the unspoiled tundra of Denali National Park.

What better way to feel the Athabascan culture than through through the words of one of its daughters amid the unspoiled tundra of Denali National Park?

 

Walking the expansive grounds of Beijing’s Forbidden City helps you process the separation and extravagance of the ruling class that eventually led to revolution.

A photo of Mount Rushmore is interesting. Viewing it up close from all angles gives you appreciation for the enormous challenge of sculpting huge granite outcroppings with dynamite.

I’ve viewed many beautiful pictures of Yellowstone’s colorful geysers. Walking among the steaming pools and breathing their sulfur odors demonstrates a bit of what goes on deep below our feet. And seeing Old Faithful go off on schedule is, well, really believing.

SPIRITUAL

To move, to breathe, to fly, to float

To gain all while you give

To roam the roads of lands remote

To travel is to live

-Hans Christian Anderson

Have you ever really seen the stars? Away from the ambient light of civilization so thousands of lights explode like diamonds against a pitch-black sky? I have done this high in the mountains while backpacking, at sea on cruise ships and even from remote spots in Hawaii.

It is magical. Awe-inspiring. Humbling.  Mysterious. Soul refreshing. Gets us outside of our modern climate-controlled cocoons. Invites the kind of big-picture contemplation that has mystified and inspired for ages.

6b reflect

You can’t help but contemplate the miracle of creation high in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

Down to earth wonders have similar effects.  Peer over the edge of the Grand Canyon. Stand in the center of Yosemite Valley and wonder at the kaleidoscope of granite, trees and plunging waterfalls. Put on snorkeling gear and enter the colorful undersea world of a Caribbean reef. John Muir called such pristine sights nature’s cathedrals because they can’t help but kindle appreciation for the wonder of creation.

Man-made monuments also inspire introspection about spiritual matters. Michelangelo’s sacred art, Jerusalem’s temple and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat demonstrate humankind’s relentless search for the divine. The physical feats and message behind them can only be fully appreciated in person.

Travel also connects with people in the here and now. The mixed-race tour guide deftly explaining the complex relationship between Native Americans and the Euro-descended amid the backdrop of the American West. The proud Roman cab driver joyfully describing the wonders of his city.  The Tokyo guide who helps us understand why the traditional sacred tea ceremony remains important in a modern Japan of bullet trains, electronics and neon.

We went to New Orleans to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina. We experienced this great, and staggered, city and its people in a more personal way than usual travel affords.

We went to New Orleans to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina. We experienced this great, and staggered, city and its people in a more personal way than usual travel affords.

 

Take this to another level through voluntourism. Help the National Park Service while enjoying the scenery. Rescue endangered sea turtles on a picturesque Costa Rican beach. Aid a clean water project in conjunction with an African safari.

Mark Twain has transported me to different times and places in his books. He also was an advocate of personal exploration:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

How much easier it is for us to visit distant places than in Twain’s day! And do it in a way that’s beneficial to our physical, mental and spiritual health.

TIME TO PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

There’s no better time than now to contact an Expedia travel consultant to book a journey that will nourish body, mind and soul. All the travel suppliers have tee’d up discounts for the heavy booking season that begins right after Christmas, and your consultant has the knowledge and tools to hook you up with the right amazing experience.

Call: (800) 745-4015 or (949) 201-4246

Click: ocglobetrotter.com

Email: cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

Come in: 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. In Oakbrook Village center between Trader Joe’s and Woody’s Diner

Check out our reviews on Yelp.

Tubing and zipping through Kauai’s upcountry and history

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tubingtunnel02

Tubing through the irrigation ditches and tunnels of an old sugar plantation is a fun and informative way to experience Kauai’s hidden upcountry scenery.

It’s not a thrill ride.  More of a lazy river.  “Watch out for the class 3 ripples,” guide Randal warns with a wry grin.

19th Century ingenuity, expertise and hard work is on display. Manual labor and pickaxes carved canals to divert fresh water from the wettest place on earth onto sugar cane fields that had to be alternately flooded and dried.

Then there is the history/economics lesson of the rise and fall of the Hawaiian sugar industry. The rise started with the Civil War and the North’s boycott of the South. Hawaiians filled the gap for the Confederacy and the industry grew for about a century.

Until statehood in 1959. This brought the kind of workers’ rights that ultimately made growing sugar in Hawaii unprofitable in a global economy. The last mill closed around 2000.

Americans continue to consume sugar, of course. So much so that it feeds our obesity problem. But it is raised in low-cost countries, like Nikes and Aloha shirts. Or derived from corn grown and subsidized in the Midwest U.S. So Hawaii, once a major producer of sugar and pineapples, is more and more dependent on tourism.

By the way, similar dynamics help make Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America costly compared with other cruise ships not registered in the United States and not subject to Hawaii’s high prices.

Today, the former ranch hosting the canal tubing is owned by Steve Case, the America Online founder whose economic timing is impeccable in getting into and out of AOL, once a juggernaut and now mostly a tech hasbeen from the dial-up era, and buying the Kauai ranch land for $75 an acre. Case, who grew up in Hawaii and is a descendant of  missionaries who brought Christianity to the islands in the 1800s, decided to invest some of his tech fortune in his home state as a way to preserve land from development.

You can get a bird’s-eye view of the terrain on Kauai Backcountry’s zip-line adventure. Our first zip experience was less scary and revealing than anticipated. It took a bit of nerve to step off the first platform and glide above a deep ravine, but once we experienced the security of the system subsequent runs were just plain rather effortless fun. This particular course zig-zags over the same ravine several times until we arrive at stream level for lunch and an optional dip in a waterhole.

We would have preferred a course that covered more ground, but we can seek that on future zip-line experiences. This one made zipping in, say, a Costa Rica rainforest canopy even more attractive.

In addition to Kauai Backcountry’s tubing and ziplining adventures, there are some happy cows grazing about as well as a few crops.

Harnessed and ready to zip.

Dustin, Randal and Aston presented the tours and a lessons with great humor. So we laughed, learned, bumped, splashed and zipped our way through beautiful Kauai in a pleasant “infotainment” balance.

 Definitely worthwhile — if not highly stimulating — adventures.

Great places to stay in Kauai

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Over the years, Kauai has become our favorite Hawaiian island. The others have their allure, but the Garden Isle just edges them out.

It starts at the Lihue Airport — as laid back and retro (in a good way) as you are likely to find in a place of this high demand. And then the drive to Poipu is so pleasurable. A quick stop at Costco, a couple of traffic signals and on through the tree tunnel. We emerge fully transported to a place where the pace is slower, the environment is cleaner and the vibe is nonstop aloha.

We stayed at our usual base, Marriott’s Waohai Beach Club, which we consider the piece de la resistance of timeshares because of its cozy feeling and oceanfront location right on Popul Beach. I also made a point to check out its neighbors so I could have fresh information for offering excellent alternatives to clients with various interests and budgets.

Here are my findings:

Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort

This is the top of the line in southern Kauai. Like its sibling on Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Reort and Spa is a sprawling resort with a raft of amenities including high-end dining, elaborate swimming pools and a luxurious spa.

The Pacific framed in the Hyatt’s lobby

Ann Takechi, who showed us around the Hyatt, said celebrities who stay here like the way they can “get lost” in its nooks and crannies. The resort makes an immediate statement in its open-air lobby, greeting with the blue Pacific in a sort of picture frame. It’s one of those inviting, breezy lobbies that signals that you’re not in Kansas or anywhere else anymore. Here, the air is sweet and colors vibrant — down to the tropical birds in the lobby. The 602 rooms have private lanais with ocean or mountain views.

Birds add to color in the Hyatt lobby.

The Hyatt is also at the top of the food chain, price-wise. Still, there is special pricing for families sharing a room with a mini fridge. The downside is the lack of a swim-able beach. It has the sweeping views of an oceanfront property, to be sure, but the combination of rocks and chop make the water, beautiful as it is, unwieldy except to experienced watermen and women.

Protective parents can use this to their advantage. Labyrinth swimming pools with waterfalls and slides plus the sand-ringed lagoon offer mild adventure for youngsters without waves and currents. Camp Hyatt provides organized children’s activities so Mom can escape to the spa or Dad can get in a round at the nearby Robert Trent Jones golf course.

For honeymooners, this is a class setting to relax and focus on each other in highly polished Hawaii surroundings. (One time I did not surf in Hawaii was on my honeymoon.) Here, after the stress of the big day, newlyweds can take it easy sipping Mai Tais, taking leisurely pool dips and sampling treatments in the extensive spa. Packages expressly for honeymooners customize the experience.

The placid lagoon is a calm spot for a swim.

Daily activities include fitness walks, tennis and golf clinics, and, of course, Hawaiian music.

Several restaurants are headlined by Tidepools, an award-winning open-air thatched hut set among waterfalls and koi-filled lagoons. The menu pays homage to the classic fare of Hawaii with an emphasis on local and natural ingredients. All Hawaiian Hyatts are emphasizing local and natural ingredients.

The Hyatt offers packages for families and couples that bundle air, rental car and hotel stay for discounts.

A water slide amid the tropical landscape.

The Sheraton PoipuThis newly refurbished resort is all about the beach, a beautiful sandy crescent with relatively tame waves to teach surfing to beginners.

The Sheraton’s pool and waves beyond.

The refreshed resort lacks the gloss of the price point of the Hyatt. This is a great choice for people who prefer a crust of salt on their skin. It’s a good option when the kids are older and able to deal with the ocean. There also is some good reintroduction pricing on packages that combine multiple nights, car and flight.

Koloa Landing

This Wydman property is definitely the polished way to do a condo at Poipu. These new “million-dollar condos” are individually owned by investors and rented through Wyndam’s management arm. And during construction of the next phase, “pardon our dust” pricing provides the opportunity to occupy one of these beauties for less than they are eventually intended to cost.

These are truly beautiful units with top-of-the line appliances, beautiful furniture and sweeping views of the Kauai coastline. But this is not a beachfront resort and the layout of the grounds, at least at this point in the development lacks the pizazz of properties like the Hyatt or Waohai.

The pool at the Koala Landing.

Still, condos and timeshares are options for groups and families that prefer to avoid restaurant pricing for at least some meals.

We picked up fresh fruit for breakfast at the farmers market, steaks for the barbecue at Costco and some fresh ahi for searing at the Koloa Big Save market. The barbecues at timeshares make for a nice communal experience in a fantastic setting with a cold Longboard beer in hand.

At Poipu, you can have your pick, depending on your preferences.

Return to Waikiki

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A rainbow appeared as we sipped beers at the Royal Hawaiian.

A rainbow appeared as we sipped beers at the Royal Hawaiian.

It had been awhile since we last visited Waikiki. I enjoy Manhattan’s urban rumble. Gotham should be loud and bustling. But my Hawaii is peaceful hidden beaches, two-lane country roads and tropical vegetation. Still, the Islands’ big city flashed its appeal as a rainbow appeared while we sipped cold beers at the Royal Hawaiian’s classic Mai Tai Bar. The Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head and a rainbow. Fit for the Hawaii Five-0 opening or a Hawaiian Airlines magazine ad. Fortunately, my iPhone was handy so I could capture it before it vaporized.

Broken surfboards make an intriguing display in the lobby of The Modern Hotel.

Our urban interlude included a stay at The Modern Hotel, an older structure at Waikiki’s Ala Moana gateway that has been remodeled  in a sleek W kind of way. Situated next to the Illikai and overlooking the Ala Moana yacht harbor, The Modern is convenient to access because it is outside the Waikiki traffic gauntlet. Of course, that also means there is a short walk to the beach. The hotel tries hard with it’s uber white decor, a stark contrast to the koa wood, wicker and tiki so prevalent in the islands. A collage of broken surfboards provides an uncoventional lobby centerpiece. This is fitting, since just beyond the harbor is an excellent surf spot where I spent many an hour on my first Hawaiian summer in 1975.

The view from our room included the Modern’s pool desk, the harbor and beach beyond.

The Modern’s room prices are less than the beachfront resorts in the thick of Waikiki, making it a good alternative for the budget conscious as well as business travelers who want to be near the beach, boat owners whose vessels are docked nearby and surfers who want easy access to Ala Moana. We saw some of them with their boards in the lobby. Iron Chef Morimoto’s Waikiki restaurant is on site for those desiring a gourmet and pricey meal. A Chart House sits across the street.

One of The Modern’s pools.

We considered dining at Morimoto, but ended up walking through the resort area and having dinner at Duke’s after our Royal Hawaiian beers. We always get a solid meal at Duke’s and its T.S. Restaurants siblings whether in the islands or at the Huntington Beach Pier. The macademia-crusted fish is a favorite and the Waikiki Duke’s has a terrific salad bar and stunning oceanfront location next to the Royal Hawaiian. Waikiki’s high-end shopping scene has gone to a new level in recent years. Rodeo Drive or South Coast Plaza meet the beach. If “shoppertainment” is your thing, Waikiki has upped its game. It certainly gives the designer boutiques access to Hawaii’s many Asian tourists, who appeared to be happily partaking. For traditionalists, the venerable International Marketplace continues to thrive in the midst of the Guccis and Armanis. All told, our Waikiki interlude was enjoyable and updated my knowledge of the destination. But then it was on to our favorite slice of paradise: Kauai. Stay tuned.

Hawaii update: A quieter side of Oahu

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Hawaii invades my senses the minute I feel the tropical breeze, even if it is tainted by Honolulu International Airport’s traffic. On our last several visits that’s been a short Wiki Wiki bus ride to the inter-island terminal before whisking off to Maui or Kauai, where big-city trappings don’t interrupt my laid-back vision of aloha.

This time, with new role in the travel business, we scheduled a few days on Oahu to catch up on Hawaii’s central island. Our flight was delayed (more on that later) so we got our rental car at the height of rush-hour traffic and proceeded to crawl bumper-to-bumper with the hoards escaping Honolulu. So the stress of a travel day had to last awhile longer. It melted in the Ko Olina Beach Club’s breezy open-air lobby.

Chuck’s Steak and Seafood views the ocean on one side and the Ko Olina Beach Club’s tropical gardens and koi poinds on the other. And there are $4 Mai Tais at happy hour!

We were hungry, so we quickly made our way to Chuck’s Steak and Seafood patio at the resort. Chuck’s has been in Hawaii since 1959, offering good food in an unpretentious island atmosphere. The chilled plates and fresh salad bar was just what the doctor ordered. The Portugese bean soup was hearty and spicy. We ordered the petite sirloin with baked potatoes (not our typical restaurant fare, but, hey, this is vacation). They accidentally served us petite filets, so we got filets for the sirloin price. We liked the salad bar and setting so much, we returned the following night for $4 happy hour Mai Tais and just did the salad bar for dinner. The soup that night, a white fisherman’s chowder chunks of white fish, was as filling as an entree.

Pools at both the Ko Olina Beach Club and Disney’s Aulani feature water slides.

The Ko Olina Beach Club is a Marriott time share development currently consisting of three towers, three pools and one of Ko Olina’s man-made lagoons, which make peaceful swimming holes in the islands’ warm water, but are not places to enjoy the waves or underwater sea life. One of the Beach Club’s pools features a slide, another a basketball hoop, and the third is the quiet adults pool. Although the Beach Club is a large and with many families, it does not feel crowded.

The resort also has Longboards restaurant and bar, which is similar to its sibling at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club on Ka’anapali Beach. I had a good Kailua pork sandwich for lunch. We found Chuck’s, which is only open for dinner, has the best food and value of the two.

We would definitely stay at the Beach Club again and recommend it to people who want more than a hotel room. The one-, two- and three-bedroom condos come with a living room and kitchen. Our one-bedroom allowed the two of us to spread out. Other times, we have packed them into this type of vacation condo. Either way, you are not hostage to resort restaurants. Costco, Target, and organic market and an ABC store all are nearby for provisions.

Aulani is is to Hawaii as The Grand Californian is to national park lodges.

The Ko Olina development, about 30 minutes from Honolulu International in the opposite directions from Waikiki,  also is the site of Disney’s new Aulani resort, a couple of lagoons from Marriott’s Beach Club. This is the Hawaiian version of Disney’s Grand Californian’s homage to national park lodges. Koa wood substitutes for Craftsman-style quarter-sawn oak, Disneyana costars with tiki and Mickey wears an aloha shirt.  But this resort is not just skin deep. Disney worked hard for authenticity. And picked a good spot. The previously mentioned calm lagoons are child-friendly, as are the massive pools that include a lazy river winding its way through lush tropical foliage. The resort even has it’s own iconic mountain (though much smaller than those at the theme parks), but encompassing a water slide.

Chip and Dale get into the aloha spirit.

Here’s my comparison of these two family-friendly resorts, The Ko Olina area would be a great place for my grandson, 19 months in July 2012, over the next several years. The tranquil lagoons. elaborate pools and water slides will be made to order, whether he grows to love Disney or not. A little later, I’ll get him going  on snorkeling and surfing.

There are better venues for the more adventurous and older kids, but Ko Olina is excellent on the safety and budgetary fronts. Not that anything Disney and timeshare rentals are cheap, but food flexibility can save a bundle. At Aulani, for example, they are offering food-inclusive packages (kind of cruise-like) that you can employ to corral your final tab. At Ko Olina, you have kitchens, barbecues and nearby Costco to reduce the number of restaurant meals for the clan. However, there are always great restaurant options such as Chuck’s, Roy’s at the adjacent golf course and Disney’s themed eateries.

Another appeal of Ko Olina is it’s proximity — and lack of it — to Waikiki. They really have put the glitz on Honolulu’s tourist downtown. If you’re into high-end shopping — as many Asians there clearly were — then it’s now Rodeo Drive with a beach and rainbows. But for me, urban rumble is great for Manhattan but not what I’m after in Hawaii. Still, with Ko Olina, you can go to sleep in quiet after spending and evening in the Big City. I’ll describe our Waikiki interlude in a future post.

Here’s a link to the impressions of Gary Warner, travel editor for the Orange County Register.

Mickey Mouse meets Tommy Bahama.

 

 

 

 

 

Frommer’s recognizes our honeymoon beach

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The resorts at Maui’s Napili Bay are not fancy. But that didn’t stop this fantastic spot from making Frommer’s listing of 10 best beachfront hotels in the world.

The travel publisher put Napili Sunset on its list, but it might as well have included the neighboring Napili Kai, where Susan and I stayed on our honeymoon and took this picture on our 30th anniversary trip.

The view from Napili Kai's Sea House Restaurant.

If the Napili resorts are not opulent, why did Frommer’s make the bay the Hawaii representative on its list? After all, the islands have many amazing resorts.

Take a close look at the picture. Classic crescent-shaped bay. Low-key hotels and condos close to the water. Low-key means the beach is somewhat secluded and not crowded. You have a feeling that this is your beach. What you can’t see in the picture is that the snorkeling in this and adjacent coves reveals the giant turtles and colorful tropical fish that Hawaii is famous for. If nature trumps the man-made for you, this is your kind of place.

That’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with the man-made here. These are very nice, if low key, places to stay in one of earth’s very best setting. They may not carry the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons branding, accoutrements or scale, but they do have what many five star resorts don’t — the beach and sparkling ocean just a few steps from your room. And a more down-to-earth price tag.

The Napili hotels are among many off-the beaten-track Hawaiian resorts I can hook you up with. Whether you prefer an intimate spot like Napili or one of the islands’ sprawling luxury resorts, I can help you find where you can get your personal aloha on. Email chrismeyeroc@gmail.com or check out my web site.

 

Getting Your Aloha On

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If there is a more ideal environment on earth than Hawaii, I haven’t been there. Whether you’re making your first visit to paradise and want to get an overview or you’re a return visitor ready to find the perfect spot to stay awhile, I can help you

A view from Kauai's Napali Coast Trail

design the experience that suits you. These days, an excellent way to introduce yourself to several islands is a cruise. You don’t have to carry your gear in a backpack and use your feet and your thumb to get around, as I did in 1975. You don’t have to pack and unpack several times like I did in 1979.

A fantastic alternative for return visitors is settling in to get to know the delights and contrasts of a particular island. Since I have stayed on all the major islands repeatedly, I have the first-hand knowledge to put you in a place that has exactly what you are looking for.

Here is an overview of the characteristics of the islands:

KAUAI

There are great resorts on opposite sides of the Garden Isle. On the sunny south side is beautiful Poipu Beach with an array of hotels and condos. Where to stay depends on what you want to do. Do you prefer a luxury hotel with sprawling tropical gardens or close access to surfing and snorkeling with kitchens and barbecues for cooking your meals? Up north, your choices range from a luxury cliff-side resort to funky hippie-style cottages amid fields of green.

Poipu Beach has much going for it, including great surfing.

Either spot offers a jumping off point for Kauai’s many delights. Or you can split your time between to two to reduce longer drives. Once you’ve settled in, you can spend time on some of the world’s prettiest beaches (Poipu regularly makes those Top 10 lists and Ke’e Beach is a snorkler’s delight), play stellar golf courses, snorkel with colorful tropical fish and giant sea turtles, kayak up a river and swim under a Fantasy Island-style waterfall, explore the spectacular Napali Coast by foot and by boat, take in what Mark Twain dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and savor a picture-perfect al fresco dinner at the Beach House Restaurant as the sun sets.

For more about Kauai, see Kauai: Paradise Found.

BIG ISLAND

The Big Island of Hawaii also has a spilt personality, but spread over a much larger land mass. The sunny Kona Coast’s expansive resorts, renowned coffee plantations and green golf courses provide a striking contrast to the black lava flows that dominate much of the slopes of the massive Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. The higher elevations of the mountains retain snow for much of the year. So skiing and surfing in 80-degree water within hours is quite possible. If deep-sea fishing is your thing, Kailua-Kona is the jumping-off point for some of the world’s finest

The Big Island continues to grow, courtesy of Kilauea Volcano.

Elsewhere on the island is a rain forest chock full of waterfalls, the hot lava of the very active Kilauea Volcano, black- and red-sand beaches plus a mountaintop observatory offering some of earth’s clearest view of the heavens. As you can tell, making the most out this island (bigger than the rest of the chain combined)  also takes careful planning.

OAHU

Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center and McGarett’s Hawaii Five-0 make for a wonderful introduction to Hawaii. A luau anywhere on the islands provides the Cliff Notes, but to really learn about the Polynesian culture, read James Michener’s fictionalized history before arrival and then visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints magnificent cultural center.

Be sure to check out Oahu's Polynesian Cultural Center.

Honolulu’s Waikiki is a great place to take a surfing lesson on mild waves and ride an outrigger canoe, then prowl the nightlife scene into the wee hours. An alternative to the urban buzz is the Ko Olina resort, home to a JW Marriott Hotel, Marriott Vacation Club Villas and Disney’s new Aulani Hotel.

Hanauma Bay offers outstanding snorkeling, but get there early before the busloads crowd the place.  Pearl Harbor, with its Arizona Memorial above the sunken ship that still entombs casualties from the surprise attack that prompted America’s entry into World War II, is a sobering stop that reminds of the sacrifices that those in the military make for our benefit. Head across to the North Shore in the winter to view the huge waves that challenge brave surfers at Sunset Beach Waimea Bay and Pipeline.

The new Aulani resort melds the magic of the islands with that of Disney.

MAUI

Relaxing on Ka'anapali Beach.

Susan and I returned to Maui, site our our honeymoon, to celebrate our 30th anniversary. For us, it still really is the a Magic Isle. I always have a great time in Maui, whether bunking on the deck of a boat, honeymooning at the low-key Napili Kai Beach Resort or relaxing in one of beautiful Ka’anapali Beach’s sprawling resorts.

Napili Beach still has some of the best snorkeling, plus the funky and popular Gazebo restaurant is right on the point. Wanting to sleep a little longer, we did sunset rather than sunrise at the Haleakala Volcano summit. It was spectacular. And we got out on the water with a catamaran snorkeling trip over to Lanai.

Behold sunset from the top of a volcano.

Whatever your preferences, I would love to help design the perfect Hawaii vacation for you. Call (949) 201-4246 or email chrismeyeroc@gmail.com. I will ask a few questions about what you are seeking and present some great alternatives.

Kauai: Paradise Found!

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Kauai, the most magnificent – if not most visited – Hawaiian Island, offers whatever mixture of activity and relaxation vacationers may desire. Your first decision is where to stay. Here are three ideas:

If you are water people and/or sun worshipper, your best bet is the south side with Poipu Beach being the premier destination. Hotels, condos and timeshares ring this lovely public beach that offers a calm swimming area, snorkeling and a consistent reef break for surfing.

  • Golfers who won’t be disappointed by consistent rain might prefer the north shore’s Princeville resort and its championship courses set atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific. It too comes with an array of accommodations.
  • Interested in a less traditional stay? Try Hanalei, a village with funky ’60s vibe, and a bit of a counter to the tourist culture with cottages and B&Bs. Even if you don’t stay here, stop on the way to the Napali Coast for a reasonable meal and a laid back atmosphere that epitomizes Hawaii’s “hang loose” motto.
  • See Hawaii Magazine’s Kauai slideshow.

Fortunately, the island is compact enough that you can take advantage of all of its delights regardless of where you hang your beach towel. Some recommendations:

Napali Coast: This gorgeous stretch of soaring cliffs and prodigious waterfalls plunging from the rainiest place on earth into the sea can be approached by land, sea or air. Take Highway 560 north of Hanalei to the end of the road.

The 11-mile Kalalua Trail follows the coast through five lush valleys, waterfalls and ancient Hawaiian ruins. You will need a backpack, a permit and probably a couple of days to do the entire trail, but day trippers can get a good taste of the scenery by hiking in for 30 minutes to 3 hours and turning back. Hanakapiai Beach is 2 miles in and Hanakpiai Falls is another 2 miles. Shade, breeze and regular rain keep the trail cool. Mud, tree roots, slippery rocks and continuous gains and losses of 400 feet or so make for a challenging hike.

Don’t get back in the car without taking a dip at Kee Beach, where some of the island’s best snorkeling is found.

Napali Coast from the sea.

A number of tour companies sail along the Napali Coast, offering views of the entire stretch, interesting facts about nature and Hawaiian history, a stop for snorkeling and a meal. This is pricey compared with walking the trail, but it’s definitely a treat that is well worth the fare. You also can take a helicopter tour of the coast, as well as the Akai Swamp and Waimea Canyon.

 

It takes some effort - paddling a kayak and traipsing through a rainforest - but the payoff is huge.

Wailua River: The relaxed vacationer can take a cruise boat up Kauai’s only navigable river to the Fern Grotto for a ukulele, hula and Hawaiian lore
show reminiscent of the Don Ho era. Those more actively inclined can ditch the show and grab a paddle. Several outfitters lead kayak trips up another branch of the river that lead to, after a short hike, a pool at the base of a remote waterfall. This option gives you a great natural experience and a workout to feel like you earned it. My arms felt it at the end of the day as I was part of my daughters’ sibling rivalry race.

Tip: most of the companies offer the half-day trip for about $100, but Kayak Wailua charges about $55. The difference? A box lunch served at the waterfall and the convenience of booking through the concierge. Book online or by phone, pack your own or stop at Subway, and save some serious coin. www.kayakwailua.com

Waimea Canyon: Dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific by Mark Twain, this ravine carved by waters flowing from rainforests and peaks that get 400 inches of rain annually displays the kind of stratification its much larger namesake is famous for. There are lookouts and hikes along the winding road up from the south shore. Go to the end and get a third view of the Napali Coast – from the top. And if you don’t mind getting muddy, take a hike into the world’s highest swamp, yet another byproduct of Kauai’s extreme wetness.

The "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"

Island cuisine: Abundant local seafood and island-grown vegetables provide ingredients for great food, whether you dine at one of Kauai’s many restaurants or buy ingredients at a farmers market to cook in your resort condo, where vacationers often bond around the barbecues.

The selection ranges from the basics at Bubba Burgers (several locations) to the gourmet Asian fusion of Roy’s at Poipu. Celebrate a special occasion watching a picturesque sunset at Poipu’s indoor-outdoor Beach House or get in the tropical spirit in a faux jungle treehouse at Keoki’s Paradise (this is part of the same chain as Duke’s at the Huntington Beach Pier).

Or ask a local. Our river guide recommended Mexican and sushi in Kapaa near the mouth of the Wailua. Monico’s Mexican was tasty, moderately priced and without atmosphere or pretense. You can enjoy a beer with your taco, but you have to pick it up at the gas station next door where you depart for the kayak trip.

We were not able to try what we were told was the best sushi on the island at Restaurant Kintaro because we arrived 5 minutes after opening and were faced with an hour wait on the night of our flight home, but the crowd appeared to be a testament to the endorsement and web sites also give it favorable reviews.

And if all this activity seems too much for you, Kauai has many palm trees where you can camp with a beach towel, a good book and perhaps a mai tai to enjoy the most perfect setting imaginable. You could enjoy a week this way without ever leaving Poipu Beach.

I re-read part of the Michener classic Hawaii on our 2008 trip, but also rented a surfboard for the week and indulged in a daily workout in 80-degree water and a constant flow of small, but well-shaped waves. There I met friendly locals, fellow Orange Countians and a young man from England whose family spends two weeks at Poipu every year. Made me a bit envious, I must admit. I had thought our every-other-year timeshare week at Marriott’s Waiohai was as good as it gets. Well, at least I come home to Orange County.